Israel and Hamas Finalize Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Swap Agreement in Doha

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU, have finalized an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage exchange, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Friday.

The Israeli military cabinet is set to convene later on Friday, Jan. 17, to approve the deal. However, final ratification by the full government, which Netanyahu's office said cannot meet before Saturday evening, could delay the agreement’s implementation from Jan. 19 to midday Jan. 20, according to an aide to Netanyahu quoted by Axios.

Negotiations were reportedly stalled on Thursday when Hamas made last-minute demands and sought to amend the agreement, Netanyahu's office said. However, both sides reconciled differences during talks in Doha, deferring Hamas' demands for the release of senior members to a second phase of the deal.

Under the terms of the deal, the first phase will see the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) begin withdrawing troops from Gaza, while Hamas releases 33 hostages captured during a deadly attack by jihadists on Oct. 7, 2023.

In the second phase, a full ceasefire will be enacted, and Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The third phase involves the exchange of bodies of deceased individuals from both sides. Reconstruction efforts in Gaza, under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations, are also set to begin during this phase.

Initial reports of the agreement emerged on Jan. 15, but tensions flared on Jan. 16 when Israel accused Hamas of attempting to sabotage the deal. Hamas countered that it remained committed to the agreed terms.

The protracted negotiations highlight the complexity of the conflict, which has seen intensified international mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.N.

The deal has sparked mixed reactions, with families of hostages in Israel holding demonstrations demanding swift action, while Palestinian factions in Gaza have expressed cautious optimism for a resolution that addresses humanitarian concerns.

If ratified, the agreement marks a significant step toward reducing violence in the region, though long-term peace remains uncertain. The planned ceasefire and reconstruction efforts are seen as critical tests for sustained cooperation between Israel and Hamas, as well as for the broader stability of the Gaza Strip.